BeatNavy

Every cadet or midshipman admitted to a service academy has to jump through all of the same hoops, from nomination through appointment.  Recruited athletes - for any sport - do get a bit more guidance through the process, sometimes/often because they don't even consider an academy until significantly later in their high school years.  If you're a HS senior who has been aiming towards an academy appointment since you were a HS freshman, you've (hopefully) educated yourself about the process.  If you're a HS senior who first hears from an Army football coach at the beginning of your senior year, there's no way you're going to get through the hoops without someone providing a clear map.
Lots of people know that you have to have good grades and test scores to get in, but few consider a hoop that is often not subject to remediation (by taking another class or re-taking the SAT or ACT):  medical exam.  Army probably averages one football commit every other year who is unable to pass the DoD medical exam requirements -- and the final decision on these is often quite late.  We've had guys who couldn't get in because of things like asthma who go on to be very successful college football players elsewhere.